Submit to The Spirit
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Getting Ready
Introduction
Introduction
In the Intro part of your notes I want you to think back to your first day of something that made you really nervous. Like your first day of Middle School, or First day at Camp, or piano lessons, Just the very first time you came to whatever it was that made you really nervous. Now on your paper right three tips that you would give yourself if you could go back and give to the younger you. These tips would be tips that would help you survive the first day a little easier.
Would anyone like to share one of theirs?
First days can be difficult and nerve-wracking. Even if the event is something you’re looking forward to, there are always unexpected adjustments to make. Today’s lesson we will learn about a momentous first day: the first day of the church. There were significant changes that came with the church. Most significantly, the Holy Spirit came to live inside every believer. The early church embraced the Holy Spirit and welcomed Him into their lives. They understood H was their power source for serving God.
But as with Most first days, you are always way nervous leading up to it. But most of the time you have a little idea what to expect right? Like the first day of Middle School you will meet all your teachers and find your way to all your classes. But the disciples had no idea what to expect! They were also told to wait and to get ready.
Getting Ready
Getting Ready
The Church did not begin immediately after Jesus’ resurrection. There were preparations that needed to be made by both Jesus and his followers.
Jesus Ascended
Jesus Ascended
Jesus gave specific instruction to His followers about what they should expect and what they should do after He was gone. Jesus instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. That didn’t make sense to His followers. They were confused about what would come next in God’s plan.
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
The disciples envisioned Jesus as a mighty political figure who would overcome their oppressors and build a kingdom in fulfillment of Old Testament promises to Israel.
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
When Jesus will return is unclear to everyone. His instructions for the believers He left behind, however were abundantly clear. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come to empower them to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. The coming of the Holy Spirit is the event that launched the church forward. And without the Holy Spirit believers would be powerless to obey and serve God.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
How do you think the disciples might have felt as they watched Jesus disappear into the clouds? Confused, disappointed, sad?
The disciples didn’t fully understand God’s program for this present age, even though Jesus had just briefly explained it to them. As He left the earth, they must have felt bewildered.
Two angels addressed the disciples as they stood staring at the place where Jesus had disappeared, The angels assured the disciples that Jesus would return. They reminded the disciples of the job they had to do for Christ in the meantime. They were to witness to the lost and make disciples of those who trusted in Christ as their Savior.
Though the disciples wanted Jesus to stay, He had taught them that it was better for them if He left.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
They were about to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words in a very powerful way.
Jesus’ Followers Gathered
Jesus’ Followers Gathered
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
120 of Jesus’s followers gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They prayed with a unified purpose and mind as they waited. Eventually, Peter identified the need for a 12th apostle to meet the mission Christ had for them and in the future. Judas had betrayed Christ, leaving the 12th spot open. The 11 chose two qualified men to consider as a replacement for Judas.
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
After they prayed about the decision, they cast lots to determine whom God had chosen. Casting lots did not mean that selection came down to mere fate; God guided in the selection of Matthias to replace Judas. The apostles were “sent ones,” or missionaries in a sense. They would each play a leading role in the fulfilment of Christ’s mission for the early church.
About ten days pasted from the time that Christ goes into heaven and they choose the 12th apostle.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We are not really sure how many days until the events of the day of Pentecost. But I am sure that the disciples were nervously waiting for something to happen. They were told to wait. But for how long? until what day, what was the sign to go?
They had no idea. How would you like to be in there shoes? would you be willing to wait for the first day of school not knowing when it was or what to look for?
I believe God was teaching them a little about getting ready, about waiting, and about God’s timing is always the best time.
This is something we can take to our lives today. We do not know the time that Christ will return. As we read in this chapter Christ will return but we do not know when.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Are you ready?
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
We do not know what the Lord has planned for our lives. But we can always be ready to response to what He is asking us to do. Always be ready to share the hope of Christ in your, and always be waiting for the Lords time. But that means we need to be ready.
Next week we will look at Chapter 2 and the “Big Day”